Chapter 4

The next few days were abuzz with work. Field agents needed to be recalled just to help pick up the slack until the current Guards were back up to stretch. Thank Pariah Dark for Sun flames, they made the healing process so much faster. They Cut down healing time by at least half! Bullets needed to be restocked, blades sharpened and then the building needed repairs.

By the end of the week, almost everyone was back in action.

By the end of the week, everyone was dreading the paperwork.

The bosses' office was a normally very calming and had an elegant feel to it. Monitors hung on the walls as the constantly monitored for alarms. A window covered the whole wall overlooking the vast canopy below. A man could fall to his doom from this height.

This is where Fox and Yatsu currently found themselves standing.

Fox and Yatsu didn't know why they were called into The Bosses office. Or when they started to call Mr. Masters the Boss. With a capital B!

"Fox, Yatsu you did well during the invasion and I commend your courage and quick thinking. Especially when you defended a dozen key power cells and then when the automatic gun was damaged you picked it up and started to shoot." Vlad put down two folders and a pair of white masks.

"Due to so many people still on bed rest, we need every able-bodied man we can get. I can temporarily Promote you to apprentice Mooks and send you out on missions with a field agent. I am giving you the change to back out now because I am warning you NOW. Our jobs can range from the most honorable fights you will ever face or more likely you could face the worst humanity or Faunus has to offer. Situations where there are no good choices and the only thing you can fall back on is your training." At this Vlad took a deep breath. "I doubt this will deter you at all but just take this advice, Therapy is your friend." He said in all seriousness. He hated the idea of sending out anyone less than a quarter trained. Even if it was on a basic mission like this one. It left a bad taste in his mouth to send what amounted to children to fight.

He had seen the scars on his little baggers back, the listless look in his eyes when his friends drifted away. Not that they were bad friends. It was Danny that relied on them rather heavily for moral support and as teenagers, they just could not always give it. So, he became rather dependent on them. My own machinations probably did not help. I would be damned if another person developed a set of mental issues because of what I have done.

The few kids we had in the Varia were already dangerous genocidal maniacs. So there was no innocence's to take away from them. Easier just to direct them so they became mission specialists rather than serial killers.

The two looked at each other and being men of little words, they picked up the masks and slid them on. They were amazed the field of view the masks allowed for. "You can expect your uniforms in your rooms by the time you get back. You head out with Agent Cobalt in two hours." He slid them the folder telling them all they needed to know.

Sending them off to complete their job Vlad rubbed his head and tried to figure out how they were going to resupply all their bullets in time. He really wished he did not make that rule about only drinking when he was on vacation. A still Drink would have done wonders right now.

… … …

As the Boss said there were a pair of uniforms that somehow fit them just right, waiting for them at their room. As soon as they put on the uniform and mask, another Mook in the Full uniform came in and introduced himself. "Hello, I am agent Cobalt." He pointed at Yatsu "You will be agent Big" He pointed at Fox "you will be agent small. During a mission never take off your masks, never reveal your true name, and never talk about the mission until the boss gives you the Ok. This mission will only require my Skill but I need helping hands since unlike some agents, I can't be in two places at once. You are not to share with anyone your real names, not even me. Other than that, follow my lead and we will be fine."

The Varia uniform consisted of a pair of boots, pants, shirt, overcoat, and cape. All done in white, black and gray. It used to look ridicules but then the previous Boss hired an actual fashion designer to design their clothing. Looking like mindless minions of evil was beyond annoying. Being fashionable minions of evil was far more appealing and threw off their enemies.

Big and Small went after cobalt as he leads them into the hanger bay. Once situated and out of the cold, they got better at handling the cold but it still stung, Soon Cobalt came in to give them their briefing "We got a job from one of the generals in the Atlassian military council. A lot of people from a certain prefecture have been going missing and we need to know where they are going."

The two nodded and little asked, "Do we have any leads?" Cobalt nodded and handed them an extra file with some information. "You were both chosen to follow me since you are new and I often handle rookies. I have an ability that lets me smell people out up to five days. We will track them down and see what happens. However, since you are new I will warn you now. I will not tolerate any disobedience during a mission. No matter what the order you must follow it. No last-minute heroics GOT IT." He was very serious about this. They had lost a lot of good teams that could not control themselves due to a hero complex.

The two looked at each other and considered it. Would they do anything? Yatsu Became a Hunter since his clan Made him do it and Fox to get the training for their semblance. Being a hero was only a perk. But would they do anything?

Yatsu came from a clan that pumped out Hunters like the old Arc family used to. At least one kid from each generation became a renowned hunter. Yatsu himself did not have any real ambition and mainly became a hunter since he was the only one of his age group that did not already have an interest in something else. So he trained, he grew big and became a hunter. He did not begrudge being a hunter and he did not hate his family for it. He shouldered the burden like he always did. This would be no different.

That did not mean he was a hero. He could play the part but at the end of the day, he did what was best for himself and those he cared for. He cared for fox and he cared for Velvet and even Coco. No matter how embarrassing they could be. If they were at his back, he could do anything.

Fox was only ever interested in becoming a hunter since that was the only career path that let him gain any control of his semblance. He awoke it the same day he lost his eyes and it dame near a law that if you had a semblance or at least an aura, then you needed to go into a frightening and fighting profession. While he had slightly fewer conniptions then most people about dirty work he was not one for mindless destruction either. Like Yatsu he was a quiet soul that preferred reading to fighting. Coco and Velvet were the entertaining part of the group. But what was the advantage of being Varia? Better weapons? Better funding? The missions? No, if he had to put words to it, then he would say he stuck around because despite them being shrewd Spies and assassins. They were also true to themselves. It's like they had no filter that most people gained to be polite. It was fun to watch them. But is that enough to just follow orders without question?

"You two don't have to look too worried. But there are circumstances were the taking of life will be inevitable. We normally send our men that enjoy that kind of thing on that mission but the missions I and the other clouds go on can vary from no violence to having to send a village to a hospital. Not pretty but necessary when the country is at stake. I just want to warn you that I will have very good reason and clearance for my actions." The two nodded and cobalt hoped they kept their word. His old scar was throbbing again and that usually meant trouble.

They flew two and half hours to the outskirts of a Town called Burgundy. It was the site of a growing city till the dust mine that supplied most of the jobs started to shut down. The purity of the dust was not perfect so the executives decided to abandon the mine and subsequently the town. It was not illegal or a bad business move since they did not have an efficient way of purifying the dust like their own Skulker industries. The deal was in the works to buy out the town but ever since the closing of the Mine, people have gone missing. Not just moved out but missing. A son not returning home a spouse out for milk for too long. It all started with just a few but now that the city had become dilapidated and barely used for anything more people are ending up missing.

Even in the outer edges, most cities did not dissolve into crime when the going got hard. Especially in Atlas. Most towns had a hearty and keen sense of community that negated most crimes.

They landed just outside the city they got out of the stealth plane and got low to the ground. Using their two and a half months of training they glided across the ground like serpents. Not making a sound. Only a faint trail of snow, soon covered by the wind, was all that they left.

No one said anything for the duration of their run. Cobalt took out a paper, looked at it then went to a house. The house looked like a normal everyday house but according to the file, this was where one of the scenes of the recent kidnapping. A Faunus child belonging to a miner in the old mines.

Silently they made it into the house and Cobolt Kept a nose out for his target. Taking his time to memories the sent he began to walk outside. Taking care to stay hidden they slowly made their way across town. They stayed behind cobalt for the whole time till they reached an area that looked like a string of abandoned warehouses. Suddenly He stopped and sniffed. Suppressing a growl, he got Low to the ground and sniffed the earth.

"Small, come here and tell me if you see anything." He motioned over and little walked over. Little Chirped like a bird for a few seconds before signing "Doorway, two meters below, covered,"

Cobalt studied the ground carefully. The earth was loose and it looked like it was recently covered up. Reaching out and feeling the edges, he found nothing. So, he slowly began to dig out the snow. Good thing it was slow since they found a bomb right in the middle of the snow. It was a short distance blast and would have taken out everything in a five to a ten-foot radius.

Cobalt took out a scanner of some sort and after a few seconds took out the bomb and placed it in a sack he brought with him.

Digging the rest out they found a door half a foot below the earth. Reaching out they go into a tunnel. From close observation, they could tell this was abandoned and that someone went to a lot of trouble to hide the entrance to this tunnel.

What greeted them on the other side was… not a pleasant site. It was a ring with a cage around it. The cage had barbed wire around it and a few old screens above it. It was dirty and gave off a dark feeling. The whole room gave off a dark feeling.

Making their way closer, they could see that there was blood all over the sanded floor of the arena. Bits of teeth and nails were also seen in the reddish sand. Left behind like some cruel afterthought.

Little and big were a little disturbed and let their imagination run wild. But cobalt was not so easily shaken. He had grown up in places like this and loved the thrill of a good match. They were highly illegal and very secretive. But this seemed far too different to the ones he was in. For starts, the barbed wire was more to try and keep people from escaping. Indicating prisoners and death matches. While the underworld did not have a problem with someone dying during a match they did have an issue with death matches.

There is a very clear difference, at least to cobalt's mind. And everyone that entered but was doing it willingly. Mabey not without some persuasion like a debt but still could back out. This was a Pig's fight.

He could smell it now. The stench of fat Pigs that got off on suffering rather than the adrenaline of battle. Those who gambled and paid against pitiful matches just to watch others get mauled. They had a filthy and unwashed sent to them. Laziness has a disturbing sent to it. Knowing what could be under their very feet Cobalt signals to follow close behind. This would make a decent test.

They quickly found a staircase leading down to a dark and wet area. Fungus and mushrooms grew on the walls as things that no one should properly think about leaked from the sides of broken bricks.

Little and Big were scared, only their Varia Training keeping their nerves in check.

They crept ever so slowly, using their night vision masks to profound effect. They crept into a room full of cages.

At first Little and Big did not know what to make of it. Such things are not taught but experienced. Bodies, Bodies everywhere. Old bodies that fungus and moss were quickly making short work of. At this point, it would be hard to tell if they were even Faunus or human. But the stench. Oh, the stench. Rotting meat was never a pleasant thing to smell and they thanked every god known on remnant that the masks had a sent blocking feature.

Cobalt while used to sites like this still pressed on. At least the two were not vomiting. However only just. The two felt confusion swimming in their minds and now understood exactly why The Boss asked them to visit therapy is so inclined.

These may be a terrible site but they were old. Most likely from when the town was booming. When the money left so did the pit fighters. They looked around and found two things of interest. The first being a tunnel that leads off into the far distance. The last was a symbol etched into one of the desks. Once Cobalt saw the signal he smirked internally.

They left the burial ground and walked down the long tunnel Making it out the get to the bow of a river and a boat. Again, you could see people held captive but at this point, it's only tied up and in a large group. No one seemed overly hurt but many of the captives had large bruises. Their mouths were gaged and the least said about the smell the better.

Surround them were turrets just waiting to open fire. By the gleam of black blood off to one wall, it looked like it had already seen action. Surrounding the people is what looked like a lot of hired mercenaries. A bandit camp hired out to kidnap people perhaps?

Cobalt signaled the two closers. "Our targets are down there, I will go and deactivate the electricity. When I give the signal, you will kill as many of those mercenaries as you can in one minute. Then retreat into the tunnel. I will handle the rest." He skulked off, blending so well into the shadows that not even a Funus with night vision could see him.

They waited for what felt like hours but was ten minutes before all the light went down. Then the steady hum of electricity fainted. A soft ping came from Little and Big's masks. Taking this signal, they lept off the railing and swung their weapons. They may he hunters but between a hundred tied up hostages, ranging from old men to children, the choice was clear. Mabey if it was their first year of beacon they would have balked but even before temping at the Varia they had learned you can't save everyone. While they would prefer to spare their enemies, they could not take any chances. Their first targets were the cat and bat Faunus. They could see in the dark so they were the top priority. After their heads hit the floor Little took out two more men and then big took our three more. After a minute was up they retreated as ordered.

After another ten minutes, they received the alert that they could come back. Big looked at Little and understood now why they wore white despite being a covert ops unit. The red made them intimidating.

Several seconds later they came in to see all the jailors dead and all the captive collapse. "Gass. Knocked them out. I will call the base and have them picked up. We are to guard them till reinforcements arrive."

After a good five minutes, they did arrive. Cars, plains, and ambulances rushed in less than a blink. Most of them being extremely grateful as they all knew at least one person that was kidnapped or knew someone that knew them. It turns out that a lot of people were being threatened to leave the area or their family would end up missing. Only to be released when they were gone. It smelled so fishy it could be salmon. Especially since a new company was going to going to take over the mine.

They left soon after. A scene of a mother crying as she found her child stayed in Yatsus mind.

… ….. … ..

"Good work, it seems like you know have a idea what we do here. It is not often as clear-cut as this but I still think that you did well." Reading the report Vlad marked down completion and taped at his computer. "Check your scrolls."

Yatsu and Fox's eyes widened at the number that the message now said was in their bank account. "Like I said you did well. Dismissed." But the two stayed in his office.

"Sire we would like to ask about that Pit?" Said fox with some hesitance. They were still unsure about how much they could ask. They have seen mooks lose their heads for far less after all. "what will happen to it?"

"Ah yes, I will have to thank you for discovering that one. We have a few members that will find burning that Pit to the ground to be rather therapeutic." Motioning for them to take a seat he watched them closely. "Generally the Varia has no problems with normal pit fights like the Atlas military. Why should we care when grown men what to beat each other senseless and have others gamble on it? It is in our better interest to handle actual threats to people. However, there was one organization that crossed the line. They called themselves the Rising Sun. A group of Human supremacists that would capture all sorts of Faunus and then pit them against anything and everything. Grim, Robots, Men with chainsaws.

We will not stand by and watch as innocent people suffer. So, we hunted down everyone in that organization and taught them exactly what happens when you mess with the Varia. There is no more Rising Sun. But sometimes we will stumble upon some remnants. BE at ease. Vengeance if not Justice was satisfied." And boy did he know a thing or two about vengeance.

Satisfied the two left to go find their teammates. They needed to feel better and the only way to do that was Coco patented bad jokes.

…. ….. …..

Team COFY was back together and only had less than a week left before they had to get back to Beacon. Their bags were already packed. That was due to the warning never to unpack. But they were told to forestall their departure by one more day. It turned out they were going to have a party. And considering the type of people they dealt with, they were morbidly curious what a Varia party would be like.

"HEYYYY LOOK OUT." Said Yamato, He was uncharacteristically hyper today and was moving a huge rolling box on the floor. Grego and Igor following soon behind Hundreds of feet of cables in hand. They only met Igor a few days ago as he was on a long-term secret assignment. He was an older buff grandpa type man. Picture a buff Santa clause that killed people with a harpoon.

The whole building was abuzz as people got ready to party. Everyone wore their own styles and accessories. One man choosing to go as a chicken. Oh, wait he did that normally.

Coco was exited and even Velvet was looking forward to it.

The doors to the hall opened and they saw exactly what they were expecting. Chaos. Food from every part of the world. A color scheme that would make you bleach your eyes and speakers so big that they covered the wall. And at the front of the stage, on a turntable. Were Lorena and Gregor Mixing it? IT WAS A RAVE.

Grinning Coco dragged her friends in and lost themselves in the revelry. Not noticing how the hours passed till they fell in a pile with the other mooks. This was the life.

,,,,,,,,

The next day was a somber sight to behold. Dozens of Varia Members crying their hearts out as team COFY was about to leave. "Big Sis Coco Do you really have to leave?" asked one Mood many others joining in on the question. "Please don't go, you make the best coffee, we will miss you." Shouted random Mooks as they pleaded for her to stay.

Coco had a tear come to her eyes as she watched all the attached Varia members. Even Vlad was shocked at just how many of them liked her. As a nurse In the Varia Hospital she had probably seen more traumas then a normal doctor ever will and she still smiled. But she got close to her patients and they found that even if they had to stay in bed (strapped into it) then Coco's jokes made it a lot better. She was the fallen angel of the Medics room and pity the fool that tries to harm her.

Vlad rolled his eyes at the levels of childishness that his subordinates portrayed. He walked up to Coco and company and enveloped them all in a bear hug. "Good luck you four. I'll try and stop by some time to make sure you're not slacking." He tossed a mobile phone at Yatsu before letting them catch their breath. "If you ever need us just ask. As far as we are concerned, you are quality." Chores of "Quality" Filled the air as Team COFY left still a bit hung over from the party.